Kaka joins MLS team

AC Milan have announced that Kaka will leave the club after agreeing to a mutual termination of his contract, with the player set for a short stint at Sao Paolo before signing with Orlando City.

The Brazilian returned to San Siro last summer after a disappointing spell at Real Madrid, but was unable to prevent the Rossoneri's decline as they missed out on qualifying for European football.

Kaka scored nine goals and set up eight others during his solitary season back at Milan, with whom he had previously won the Champions League.

"AC Milan announce that they have today terminated the contract of Kaka by mutual agreement," a club statement read.

Sao Paulo vice-president Ataide Gil Guerreiro claimed on Monday that the 32-year-old would return to his first club before making a move to MLS outfit Orlando City, a statement which has been confirmed by the player.

The Florida-based club has been announced as an MLS expansion franchise for the 2015 season.

"I took a few days to think about my future, and I took the decision to go to play in America. I always wanted to go there," Kaka told the AC Milan channel.

"I'll play first with Sao Paolo and then I will go to Orlando which is a nice project. I am very happy to be able to play again, even if for a short time, in the colours of Sao Paolo."

Kaka also revealed that he would no longer wear the number 22 that he wore at Milan due to his cherished history at the Serie A side.

I will have number eight in Brazil and 10 in America, I'm not using number 22, that I had at AC Milan, any more," he added.

"It was a difficult year, but it represents an honor for me to exceed 300 appearances and 100 goals in a Rossoneri shirt.

"I have not left Milan because we are not in the Champions League, I made the choice for other [reasons].

"Even if I go back to Brazil and begin a new adventure in America, I will miss the chorus of the fans. The relationsip with this club will alway be close.

"I will always be a supporter of Milan, I hope to send messages as soon as possible to [vice president Adriano] Galliani about our [success] in Italy and Europe. I leave many friends here."